40 Annual Report. [Feb. 



than mauy a learned and most original publication but he Las done so, 

 not by adding any new and original results to this science, but by 

 opening the eyes of the public to its value and importance. 



The same must be said in regard to Miillei-'s work on the history of 

 Religion. Here we owe to him that most important publication, the 

 Sacred Books of the East, a collection of English translations of the 

 standard works of all the great religions of Asia. It exhibits in a 

 singular manner his groat talent as an organizer. He himself contribu- 

 ted a translation of the Dhammapada and of the Upanishads, and he 

 acquired for it the co-operation of first class authorities in each respec- 

 tive branch. Thu.s, whoever is interested in Oriental religions has now 

 an easy access to the standard works of Hinduism, i3ucldhism, the 

 I eligions of Jains and Parsis, the philosophies of Confucius and Laotse, 

 all laid before him in thoroughly trustworthy translations, which are 

 equally valuable to the specialist as they are interesting to an amateur. 

 But I regret to be unable to express the same opinion on Miiller's own 

 Essays on the history of Religion. His mythological theories are now 

 happily discarded by most authorities, and if one tries to read through 

 some of his later books, such as Physical Religion, Anthropological 

 Religion, or whatever its name may be, one rests surprised to find 

 under the glittering garment of a brilliant style so little that is new, 

 nay, even so little that one does not recollect to have met with some- 

 where else in Miiller's earlier books. He certainly was a most 

 brilliant writer, and as his books, too, originated from lectures deli- 

 vered by him, not before experts, hut before a larger circle of amateurs, 

 one may even say that he was under a certain necessity to please his 

 hearers rather than to feed thorn on the dry fare of new facts and 

 theories. 



Thus, Avhile MiiUer stands foremost among the pioneers of Vedic 

 studies, his work in connexion with other branches of the study of 

 languages and religion does not excel by original lesearch, and yet has 

 greatly helped to promote their popularity. But the advancement of 

 science rests upon both, and he who endeavouis to spread the know- 

 ledge found by others acquires no little merit. And the student who 

 has made the study of Oriental languages and religions his life-work, 

 ought never to forget the amount of gratitude he owes to the late Max 

 Miiller for the i eputation in which this branch of learning has been and 

 still is held. [ T. Bloch. ] 



John Anderson, M.D., F.R.S. 



By the death, on August 15tli, 1000, of Dr. John Anderson, the 

 Society has lost one of its oldest and most distinguished members, 

 whose couuexiou with the Society dated from January, 1865. 



